Apple and Berry had 240 cards altogether. After Apple gave 30 cards to Berry, Apple has twice as many cards as Berry. How many cards did Berry had at first?
If Berry had b cards, then
240-b - 30 = 2(b+30)
Now solve for b
A = Apple's cards
B = Berry's cards
Apple and Berry had 240 cards altogether means:
A + B = 240
Subtract B to both sides.
A = 240 - B
After Apple gave 30 cards to Berry,
Apple has A - 30 cards
Berry has B + 30 cards
After Apple gave 30 cards to Berry, Apple has twice as many cards as Berry means:
A - 30 = 2 ( B + 30 )
A - 30 = 2 B + 60
Replace A by
240 - B
in this equation.
240 - B - 30 = 2 B + 60
210 - B = 2 B + 60
Add B to both sides.
210 = 3 B + 60
Subtract 60 to both sides.
150 = 3 B
3 B = 150
B = 150 / 3
B = 50
Berry had 50 cards at first.
Check result.
Berry had 50 cards at first.
Apple had 240 - 50 = 190 cards at first.
After Apple gave 30 cards to Berry,
Apple has 190 - 30 = 160 cards
Berry has 50 + 30 = 80 cards
Now Apple's cards / Berry's cards = 160 / 80 = 2
Now Apple has twice as many cards as Berry.